Lions in the market for developmental quarterback

Palm Beach, Fla. -- The Lions might be in the market for a young quarterback they can hand over to offensive coordinator Scott Linehan and quarterbacks coach Todd Downing to develop.

The Lions are set at the top of the quarterback rotation with Matthew Stafford and Shaun Hill, but when Drew Stanton left in free agency, a vacancy sign lit up for the team's third quarterback.

"I think that role, whether it's filled in the draft or free agency, will be a developmental type player," Lions general manager Martin Mayhew said at the NFL league meetings. "I don't know how old that guy will be, but we'll see him as guy who has the opportunity to develop and has upside, whoever that player is."

The Lions had quarterback Zac Robinson on the roster in training camp last season but he did not make the final cut because Stafford, Hill and Stanton were already signed through the season.

Robinson was waived and quickly signed to the Bengals' practice squad as the team's third-string quarterback. The Lions could be looking for a similar player again this offseason.

"There's not really an urgency to do something right now with that position," Mayhew said. "We'll probably get into the draft and see what is available draft wise, then play it by ear. If we draft a guy, then he'll be our third. If we don't, then we'll go out after the draft and look at the free agency market."

So, expect the Lions to be in the market for a quarterback late in the draft.